Determining themes and central ideas

What is central idea?

• The message about life in a text

• The best information to support the subject

• What the text is mainly about

• The purpose for the article

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is a theme?

• What the text is mainly about

• The message about life in a text

• Details to support a claim

• The tone of the piece

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.2

What does "reveal" mean?

• message about life

• to hide

• to show

• the main idea

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read the following paragraph.

(1)The first U.S. zoo opened in Philadelphia in 1874. (2)Visitors were thrilled to see animals from all over the world. (3)The zoo had six giraffes, an elephant named Jennie, and many colorful birds. (4)It also had some animals from Australia. (5)People were amazed at the kangaroos, wombats and dingoes.

Which sentence in the passage best supports the central idea of the paragraph?

• Sentence 1

• Sentence 2

• Sentence 3

• Sentence 5

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.2

1. Read the following passage:

The Louisiana Purchase proved to be one of the shrewdest business pacts in the entire history of the United States. The purchase doubled in the area of the country and provided territory from which fourteen new states were created either wholly or in part. It also gave us control over the mouth of the Mississippi River and opened up the way to foreign trade. Prior to the purchase, the waterway had been blocked by the Spanish, probably with the approval of Napoleon. The land that was bought was rich in timber, minerals, and natural resources of many kinds. Finally, the cost of the transaction was unbelievably low; the total of $15 million amounted to about four cents an acre.

What is the central idea of this passage?

• The Louisiana Purchase was a very good business deal for the U.S.

• The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was rich in minerals.

• The land bought by the Louisiana Purchase was very cheap.

• Most Americans were very pleased with the purchase.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the following passage:

Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment.

What can the reader infer the theme of the passage is?

• Messy Missy made a poor choice in project partners.

• Both of the girls reveal negative traits about themselves based on the events.

• When making choices, consider the consequences first.

• Always work alone because you can’t count on others to be responsible.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.2

Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark’s bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Rolling Stones to play with him every Saturday at the family’s private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate and Money Mark could find nothing new or exciting in his life. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never found happiness. Penny Petal was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny Petal appreciated everything she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the United Center before the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air. She looked forward to the day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she learned to play the buckets. She was an extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist, and everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Now she had everything that she had ever dreamed of and she truly loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family who supported her through all of the hard times.

What can the reader infer the theme of the passage is?

• Money is the key to being successful in life.

• Money can buy you happiness as long as you earned it.

• Mark had a lot more money than Penny.

• In order to truly appreciate what you have, you need to work for it.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Read the following passage:

Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier.

Which character trait is best revealed in the passage for Jake?

• Cold

• Resentful

• Thoughtful

• Selfless

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.W.8.9A

Read the following passage:

Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna.

Which character trait is most revealed in the passage for Kylie?

• Perfectionist

• Angry

• Helpful

• Heartless

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3